Chain structure



'D. J. MCINTOSH ETAL CHAIN STRUCTURE Sept. 18, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1948 FIGJ.

Nk w

S H H S N m R mm m M T M S A 4 J L L WE W N O H DM p 1951 D. J. MCINTOSH EI'AL 2,568,650

CHAIN STRUCTURE Filed Feb, 16, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGS.

' MITCHELL sum Mm a 6 ATTO RNEYS D. J. MOINTOSH ET AL Sept. 18, 1951 CHAIN STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 16. 1948 FIG.|5.

INVENTORS DONALD J.MCINTOSH 3y MITCWX K ATTORNEYS FIG.|3.

FIG.I6.

Patented Sept. 18, 1951 zstatst CHAIN STRUCTURE I Donald J. McIntosh and Mitchell Smith, Detroit, Mich., assignors, by mesne assignments, to said Mitchell Smith, Detroit, Mich.

Application February 16, 1948, Serial No. 8,664

sprocket chain.

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of copending application, Serial Number 793,736, entitled Chain Structure and filed December 24; 1947.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chain of the sprocket type adapted to be separated between adjacent links thereof .by a simple operation. 7 More specifically, it is an object of the present 1 Claim. (Q1. 74255) invention to provide a sprocket chainhaving means for separating the chain between adjacent establishing an angularity between adjacent links or link plates which is reater than the angularity assumed by these parts during normal operation.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sprocket chain having a removable pin establishing a pivot connection between adjacent links, the pin being locked against removal except when adjacent links are disposed out of parallelism by an angularity amount greater than encountered in normal usage.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of chain embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2'-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an exploded sectional view of the separable link construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded view illustrating diagrammatically yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an exploded view illustrating diagrammatically yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through a portion of a chain assembled from the elements illus- 2 and the associated connected link plate in position to permit removal of the pins.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 showing the pins moved to interlocking position with the connecting link plate.

Figure '12 is a perspective view of a pivot pin which may be employed in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 13 is an exploded sectional view illustrating diagrammatically the use of a slightly different sub-assembly of the pins and plates employed in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 14 is an exploded View illustrating diagrammatically yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the elements illustrated in Figure 14 assembled together.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a link pin employed in the structure illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.

Figure 17 is a perspective View of a link pin similar to that shown in Figure 16 but difierin therefrom in specific details.

Referring now to the drawings in Figures 1-3, there is illustrated a sprocket chain made up of links indicated generally at I I], each link comprising link bars I I provided adjacent their ends with confronting tubular sleeve portions 12 which together cooperate to form a sleeve for the reception of pivot pins I3. Surrounding the sleeve formed between sleeve portions 12 are cylindrical rollers l4 herein illustrated as shaped at their ends to provide clearance as indicated at l5 for the fillet between the inner surface of the link bars I l and the outer surface of the tubular link portions l2. If desired, the outer corners of the rollers l4 may be relieved as indicated at It to reduce the area of contact between the ends of the surface of the rollers l4 and the inner surfaces of the link bars I I.

Throughout the major extent of the chain the adjacent links ID are pivoted together through the medium of connecting link plates 20 which are provided with openings 2| for the reception of the laterally extending ends of the pivot pins l3. Where the pins I3 extend outwardly beyond the outer surfaces of the connectin link plates 20 they are riveted over as indicated at 22.

. In order to permit breaking the chain one or more connecting link plates of the special type illustrated at 25 are provided. These link plates 25 may be shaped to have separable interlocking engagement with special type pivot pins 26. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each of the link plates 25 may be permanently interlocked as by rivets with one of the pivot pins 25 and have releasable or removable interlocking engagement with a second pivot pin 25. Each of the pivot pins 26 is provided at one end with a reduced annular groove 27 leaving a head 28 outwardly therefrom which provides an inwardly facing locking shoulder 25. As illustrated in this embodiment of the invention, the head 25 of the pin is of the same diameter as the intermediate portion thereof although this is not essential.

Each of the link bars II has at its end an outwardly extending flange portion 35.! which is eccentrically disposed with respect :to the axis of the sleeve portion [2. The eccentricity of :the flange portion 30 is such that its center of curvature is located nearer the end of the link bar I l than is the axis of the sleeve portion 12. As a result, the flange portion 38 extends further from the axis of the sleeve portion II in a direction longitudinally of the link than itdoes at an angle thereto.

Accordingly, when the parts are assembled as illustrated in'Figure 2, the ends of the flanges .38 are in close proximity and serve to preventmovement of the adjacent pins 26 toward each other by an amount suiiicient to release the link plates 25 from their interlocking engagement beneath the shoulder portions 29 of the heads of thep-ins. However, when adjacent links 19 are disposed .angularly with respect to each other at a substantial angle the portions of the flanges 39 which are adjacent are of less radial extent and may permit the pins 25 to move toward each other by an amount suflicient to provide for disengagement of the connecting plates 25. It will be appreciated that the specific design of the flanges 30 may be such as to require any predetermined angularity between adjacent links or between one link and the interconnecting link plate 25. At all events, the design is such that removal of the link plates 25 is prevented unless the angularity between one or both of the adjacent links l with respect to the connecting link plate 25 is greater than the angularity which results in use. It will be understood of course that the angularity which results in use is a function of the diameter of the smallest sprocket on which the chain runs.

In the embodiment of the invention just described'it will be noted that a link plate 25 and associated releasable pin 25 are permanently ongaged as by riveting indicated at 32. This is a matter of convenience and has the advantage that when the parts are disassembled the relatively small pin 26 is afiixed to a link plate 25 so that the parts are substantially easier to handle. However, it will be readily seen that if desired, pins 25 could be provided with the interlocking grooves 2! at both ends and could be completely disassociated from both ofthe link plates.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure only the parts which differ from the embodiment previously described are illustrated. In this case the connecting link plate 40 is provided with relatively long slots 4| opening at their inner ends into enlarged portions 42, the two parts cooperating to form a key-hole type opening. In this figure ends of adjacent links 43 are illustrated which have openings therein through which extend headed ends 44 of pivot pins. This type of construction is intended for use with a chain in which all of the pivot pins in use are positioned equal difithIlQQS .4 apart so that a tooth of the sprocket may enter between each adjacent pair of pivot pins.

The ends of the links 43 are again provided with flange portions 45 which are eccentric with respect to the axis of the pivot pins so that when adjacent links are in longitudinal alignment, the pivot pins are prevented from registering with the enlarged portions 42 'of the key-hole openings in the connecting link plates 4n.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention.

In this case, rather than depending upon engagement between the ends of adjacent links, other means are provided for maintaining locked. engagement of the link plates with the pins. In this case, the ends of adjacent links are illustrated .at 50 and they are provided with pin receiving openings 5| which are eccentric with respect to the end flange portions 52. The connecting link plates 53 are provided with openings .54 for passing over the heads 55 of pins 56 as illustrated in Figure 6. .Formedon the inner side of the link plates 53 are :lugs ETWh-ich align with the flange portions 52 -of the links.

.Since the flange portions 52 are eccentric with respect to the openings 5|, the heads -55 :of the pins .55 are interlocked as illustrated inFigure 6 with the side walls of the openings 54 and are prevented from removal until the link plate 53 is angularly disposed with respect to the adjacent link such that the lug 51 is adjacent to a portion of the flange 53 of sufficiently small radial extent as to permit movement of the link plate 53 into disengaging position. In this case it will be observed that each of the pins 56 may be independently removable. However, for reasons outlined in connection with the description of Figures 1-3, it is preferred to provide link plates 53 in identical pairs, each of which has a pivot pin 56 permanently secured adjacent one end thereof as by the riveting indicated at 58.

In Figure 7 there is illustrated aslightly different embodiment of link bar. In this case, the ends of adjacent .link bars Hi are illustrated and instead of providing the flange portions 'H 'eccentrically with respect to the axis of the pin receiving openings 12, these flange portions are otherwise shaped to permit an equivalent result. In the illustrated embodiment, chordal flats 13 are provided which permit adjacent openings 12 to be moved toward each other by an amount which permits removal of the interlocking connecting link plate 75. It will be understood that while the ends of the adjacent links H! are shown as symmetrically shaped, the same result could be obtained by appropriately shaping the flange portion H of only one of the links 10, or one side only of each link;

Referring to Figure 8 there is' diagrammatically illustrated a slightly different embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the adjacent ends of links 36 have flang'e portions 8! which are or may be concentric with the pin receiving openings 82. However, each of the flange portions 8| is flattened as illustrated at 83 to permit a sufiicient reduction in the spacing between openings 82 to provide for removal of the connecting link plate (not shown).. In this case, as in all embodiments of the present invention, removal of the removable connecting link plates depends upon establishing an angularity between adjacent links or link plates which is greater than the angularity which these parts assume in use.

Refer g ow t F gure 9 there is illustrated yet another embodiment .of the present invention. In this case, links 90 are provided with flange portions 19I whichareeccentric with'respect to the axis of the pin receiving openings 92. Connecting link plates 93 have enlarged openings 94 ateach endan'dthe pins 95 have reduced :annular grooves 96 adjacent bothlzends which providesheads 91 adapted to interlock with the openings 94 formed in the link plates 93." In, this construction, when-one or both'of the links-90 are disposed out .of longitudinal alignment with the connecting link plate 93 by a sufiicient amount, link pla tes 93 may be disengaged from beneath the heads 91 and removed. In thiscase, removal of the link plates 1.93 permits removal of the pins 95 and these parts may be removed independently.

Referring now to the construction illustrated in Figures 10-13 there is illustrated a construction which provides for increased ability to withstand wear in usage. In this case, the connecting link plates I are provided with enlarged D-shaped openings IOI having flats I02 at their outer ends. The link plates I00 are intended to pivotally connect links I03 having cooperating flange portions I04 which may be eccentric with respect to the pin openings or which may be otherwise shaped as illustrated in Figures '7 and 8 as desired. In this case, the connecting pins may be separate from the link plates, a pin of this type being illustrated at I05 in Figure 12; or the pins may be permanently connected to one of the connecting plates I00, a pin of this type being illustrated at I06 in Figure 13.

In either case, the pin I05 or I05 is provided with a flat bottomed recess I01 which in use is adapted to have surface to surface contact with the flat I02 formed in the openings IOI. It is preferred to insure surface to surface contact between these flat surfaces by effecting a rigid interlock between a pivot plate I00 of the pin as illustrated by the riveted connection I08 shown in Figure 13. However, even if this is not provided and a pin such as the pin I05 is employed, the cooperation between the fiat surfaces referred to will retain the pin in proper orientation with respect to the connecting link plates I00. In use the intermediate portion of the pin I05 or I06 is in surface to surface contact with a sleeve of the type fully illustrated in Figure 2 and the flat bottom of the notch or notches I01 assures extended area contact between the pin and connecting link plate, thus reducing wear during use of the chain.

Referring now to Figures 1447 there is illustrated yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the ends of the links I40 are provided with pin receiving openings I4I which may be concentric with the flange portions I42. The connecting link plates I43 are provided with pin receiving openings comprising a circular portion I44 and laterally extending reduced portions I45. The pins which cooperate with the links I40 and the link plates I43 are illustrated in perspective in I46 and in this embodiment of the invention comprise a central cylindrical portion terminating at each end in a flat key at I41. Each of the keys provide inwardly facing locking shoulders I48. If the pin illustrated in Figure 16 is employed, the openings I4I at the ends of the adjacent links I40 must of course be shaped to permit passage of the keys I41. In Figure the assembly of the parts is illustrated when the links I40 and connecting link plates I43 are in substantial longitudinal alignment. At this time it will be observed that the keys I41 are disposed substantially perpendicular to the laterally extending portions I45 of the openings in the link plate I43. In this case, no dependence is made upon engagement between the fiange portions I42 of the ends of the links I40 and these accordingly may be substantially spaced as indicated at Figure 15. In order tion illustrated in Figure 15, at which time the keys I41 will register with the laterally extending portions I45 of the plate openings.

In Figure 17 at I10 there is illustrated a somewhat difierent type of pin which is provided with a fiat key I" and a reduced cylinder portion I12. The ends of the keys I1I do not extend radially beyond the intermediate cylindrical portion of the pins I10. In this case, therefore, the openings provided in the ends of the links I40 need not be provided with laterally extending openings, since the entire pin I10 may pass through a cylindrical opening shaped to closely engage the central cylindrical portion thereof. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated at Figures 14-17 it is intended that the pins I46 or I10 will be engaged with a press fit in the openings formed at the ends of the adjacent links so that in use the pins are held against relative rotation with respect thereto.

Although a number of different specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that all of these embody the same fundamental thought. This is the provision of a releasable connection between adjacent links of a sprocket chain which depends upon disposing the adjacent links or a link and its adjacent connecting link plate out of alignment by an amount more than is encountered in use. By virtue of this provision it becomes a relatively simple matter to grasp a sprocket chain constructed in accordance with the present invention and to bend the chain as described, at which time slight pressure on the releasable producting end of one or more pins will effect separation of the chain. This is an operation which may be performed readily with two hands and is substantially more simple than any method of effecting separation between links ofa sprocket chain than has heretofore been known.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved chain structure in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claim.

What we claim as our invention is: A sprocket chain comprising links each 0 which comprises a pair of identical link bars, the ends of which are formed on circular arcs, each link bar having integrally formed tubular collars adjacent its ends, the axes of said collars being.

7 of adjacent; pairs qfsaid link bars, eachlinli plate of the pair being permanently connected at one end to one end-of one of the pins associated therewith, the'othe'r end'of said pins 'having a headed end, the other end of-each of-said link :plates havingan enlarged-openingthrough which the, headed end of the associated pin may pass, the curved ends of adjacent link bars being in proximity when adjacent link bars and "link. plates are aligned and serving to retain the headed end of said pins out of alignment with the enlarged openings in the associated link plates, the curved ends of said link bars being spaced when adjacent link plates and link bars are angular-1y related to permit removal of said 15 imi 'ERENcE's CITED I The following"references are of record in the file of'this patient:

7 mnensmms PATENTS Number "Name Date 10;4-13 Wallis NOV. 27, 1883 818,469 Rogers Apr. '24, 1906 1,146,905 Stark July 20, 1915 1,464,267 Harrison Aug. 7, 1923 FOREIGN PATENTS Number "Country Date 34,581 France Feb. '26, 1929 

